Chapter 2
De-maneing not De-throning the Lioness.
The Soapbox.
Thursday saw us back at Professor Ian’s rooms, though for what I’m not sure. I expect it was just to earn some more money and let us know he was still there waiting patiently for the day he gets his hands on me. After waiting over an hour for him, (imagine a Doctor Running behind in his appointments... unheard of!) it was my turn. We went in and sat down. He proceeded to tell us what we already suspected or should I say know, that I was a perfect candidate for the “silver bullet” Herceptin. Dr. Geoff had told us about this wonderful drug but I was not eligible for government assistance (approx $70,000+ per year!), simply because I had not had surgery yet. More government sticky red tape! Something that I simply do not understand. If this drug could reduce or eliminate the need for radical surgery then why won’t the government pay for it before surgery??? Isn’t it in their best interests financially? After all, surgery is frightfully expensive. Just for the Portacath to be inserted under twilight sedation as a day procedure was over $1100 payable by medicare! I’ll climb back off my soap box now... Lol. Greg and I haven’t finished on this matter as yet so we will keep you all updated.
Encounter with Miracles.
I finally got to take home my wigs. The girls at the City Starkles are fabulous. Nothing was too much trouble and I was certainly in a much better place emotionally to be choosing my new look. As soon Linda pulled the wigs from their boxes I just knew these two were right for me. I was very excited, almost a little too excited. In a weird way I’m almost looking forward to day that I will have to wear them... Having said that I’m sure I will be looking forward to the day I don’t have to wear them aswell... After a demo in applying my prostheses, (that’s the correct medical term according to HCF lol), Linda started to cut the fringes. Slowly but surely a small amount of hair was sacrificed from each wig to keep them from being constantly in my eyes . I was shown how to look after them properly from brushing down, to washing and storing. I’m even getting excited again just writing this. They make me so happy which is so typical of this vein lioness. If I look good nothing else matters! Well so it seems... In my bag of goodies were also two scarves, one purple of cause, and a lovely blue. I was shown how to tie this onto what will be my bald head. You know, I’m even warming to this idea as well... They really do kinda look cool...or not...
Today I feel a sense of both peace and relief that when the day comes I am prepared and I can carry on as usual with a choice of 2 beautiful wigs.
Sex and the City.
I have 2 and a half days off now, what to do... I don’t want to sit around and do nothing but I also want to rest up a bit. This week is the week that my white cell count should be at its lowest, that means my resistance to infection is at an all time low. My head itches like a scruffy homeless person with cooties and I’m trying not to scratch too much for fear of pulling more hair out. Maybe I should just get rid of it... It’s so lifeless anyway... I’ll have to put more thought into that one though as I sit here in bed, its 6.45am just thinking about stuff, nothing in particular... scratching, I’ve just thought about “sex and the city” and how my life has paralleled that of Carrie Bradshaw. No, seriously!... From dud dates to moving to France for a knuckle head and even getting married to my own Mr. Big! What next should I be thinking? But now I seem to have jumped from Carrie to Samantha. Well maybe there was always a bit of Sam in me... LOL. Those of you that have been with me for the last 10 years will know exactly what I’m on about. Ha-ha I even wanted to open my own brothel! Remember Lauren, you where so shocked and disgusted in me. I do recall however that you were very young at that time! I do apologise for that... Maybe... Lol . Back to the story... from all Samantha’s men and toy boys to her battle with breast cancer... And guess what... She beat it, and came out a winner just as I will! Only difference is that I can’t skip scenes and fast forward through the crappy bits. Could it be that the story was actually taken from my life? Could I be the combined inspiration for Carrie and Samantha? Should I contact the writers to see what’s going to happen next??? Nahh, dream on Lou... Sounded good at the time though! I am now wondering where and what is my mind doing, am I losing the plot??? LOL... Nahh, I can just see you all reading this and thinking to yourselves “she never did have a focused mind, the plot was always in doubt”... and you’d be right... But the change has begun... I think... LOL...
De-maneing
Greg and I spent a great couple of days just doing nothing. We booked a Wotif mystery room on the Gold Coast that turned out to be at the Royal Pines Resort. We had a beautiful room on one of the top floors with a view across the massive golf course and marina to the mountains. It was Spectacular... We took the opportunity to meet up with extended family, my birth mother Lynne and her husband, Roger. We all feasted on the most magnificent seafood buffet that really did put the Sofitel to shame. My taste buds paid me a visit this night and I was able to drink wine and eat food with all their wonderous flavour... I miss the tastes of my life so this was indeed special. It’s been what seems a life time since I could taste something nice. I had a lovely night.
It Happened.
It was there that the inevitable happened... the next morning my hair started shedding. I walked out of the bathroom with bleeding gums, a headache and clumps of long hair in my hands. I had started to fall apart! So I shed a few tears and pulled myself together again. Just as I was thinking “suck it up sunshine”, Greg smiled and those very words came from his mouth... I made an appointment for 1pm with Lil, my beautiful friend who looks after all my beauty needs. She had her work cut out for her today... Maybe a little more than usual this time... I was very brave as my hair was being cut off. Actually it wasn’t as bad as I had thought. After all it was only hair, I keep telling myself, and when it does grow back it may well be curly! If I say it often enough I will believe it then it will happen for sure... That’s brain washing isn’t it??? lol... I was so sick of having long strands of hair in my ass crack, not to mention all over the floor and my clothes! As much as I don’t really like my new short look I think I am relieved that Greg was here with me and it’s done. Mind you, I had a camera clicking in my face the entire time, something I have gotten used to. He did ask me if I wanted this part of my journey documented or not and I said “you’re only gonna get one chance”... besides, its best just to smile and get it over and done with... If you resist, he persists... Overall I had 2 lovely days off... For the first time in a very long time I almost don’t want to go back to work but that’s just me being slack and I know I would be board out of my brain with Greg going back to work again tomorrow. He will be away till Australia day, Then it’s off to talk to Dr. Geoff and back to Chemo again for us both. So until then I’m going to enjoy a week of being able to taste my food. Yay!!!